Will the BJP-led NDA suspend 236 Indian MPs this time? asks a Congress MP in Assam

NEW DELHI: In an open conversation with the news agency PTIAssam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of parliamentary democracy and claimed that the BJP’s approach will not change as long as Modi is in power.

Gaurav Gogoi, MP from the Assam Congress, compared the growing strength of the opposition to a “wall of defenders”. The INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha consists of over 230 MPs.

Gogoi expressed skepticism about the longevity of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and predicted that Modi’s leadership style may prevent him from completing his full five-year term.

He explained that the increased numbers of the INDIA bloc in Parliament would prevent the BJP from pushing through bills and suspending MPs without resistance.

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“Last year they suspended 146 MPs. Will they suspend 236 this time?” asked the Congressman from Assam.

Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi dismissed allegations that NDA allies like Chandrababu Naidu of the TDP and Nitish Kumar of the JD-U had caved in to the BJP in forming the government. He described them as “smart political minds” whose true intentions would come to light with time.

“As long as Modi is prime minister, I don’t think their attitude towards Parliament will change,” said Gaurav Gogoi, accusing the BJP of trying to manipulate, suspend, disqualify and poach politicians.